A Citizen's Guide to Politics in America: How the System Works & How to Work the System

Politics isn't about candidates and elections, it's about solving public
problems. How can we ensure that our water is safe to drink, that our
schools provide quality education, that high-wage jobs do not migrate
to other countries, that poor children do not go hungry, that excessive
government regulation does not stifle job creation, and that crime and
violence are reduced?

People have lost confidence in the ability of politicians, candidates,
and the political process to solve these public problems. The public
distrusts government in general and individual politicians in particular.
Voters register as independents or seek out third-party candidates.
They support term limits for "career politicians." They are tired of
expensive, wasteful, government "solutions" that do not work and may
even make problems worse.

But the problems will not go away, and the public does care. They
may not like either candidate for Congress and may even stay home on
election day, but they are concerned about the economy, the environment, health care, crime, and education, among other issues. The same
public that opposes welfare supports helping families and children in
need. Those who want lower taxes are willing to pay more if they get
better schools and safer neighborhoods. People dislike government but
demand police protection and clean water. They want to preserve endangered species, but not at the cost of their jobs.

Notes for this page

Questia, a part of Gale, Cengage Learning. www.questia.comPublication information:
Book title: A Citizen's Guide to Politics in America:How the System Works & How to Work the System.
Contributors: Barry R. Rubin - Author.
Publisher: M. E. Sharpe.
Place of publication: Armonk, NY.
Publication year: 1997.
Page number: xi.

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